To Good Tamales Recipes

PORK TAMALES

Steps:

• Make the filling: Put the pork in a deep saucepan and cover with cold water (about 6 cups). Add 2 teaspoons salt, the onion, thyme, oregano, bay leaves and peppercorns; cover and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the pork is tender, 1 hour, 30 minutes to 2 hours. Transfer the pork to a plate and shred. Strain and reserve the cooking liquid; keep warm.
• Meanwhile, soak the corn husks in a bowl of hot water, using a plate to keep them submerged, until pliable, 1 hour.
• Combine the pork, cumin, 1/3 cup chili powder, the garlic, flour, sugar, vegetable oil and 1 cup of the reserved cooking liquid in a large skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the dough: Mix the masa harina, lard, 2 teaspoons salt, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon chili powder and 2 2/3 cups of the reserved cooking liquid in a bowl until combined.
• Drain the husks and pat dry. Starting 1/2 inch from the wide end, spread about 3 tablespoons of the dough down a husk, leaving a 1-inch border on the sides. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the pork filling down the center of the dough, then fold in the sides of the husk, wrapping the dough around the filling. Fold up the narrow end of the husk. Repeat with the remaining husks, dough and filling.
• Set a steamer basket in a large pot filled with 1 to 2 inches of water. Arrange the tamales standing up in the steamer, folded-side down. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, cover and steam until the dough is firm, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from the steamer and let cool slightly before unwrapping.

REAL HOMEMADE TAMALES

Steps:

• Place pork into a Dutch oven with onion and garlic, and add water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer until the meat is cooked through, about 2 hours.
• Use rubber gloves to remove stems and seeds from the chile pods. Place chiles in a saucepan with 2 cups of water. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, then remove from heat to cool. Transfer the chiles and water to a blender and blend until smooth. Strain the mixture, stir in salt, and set aside. Shred the cooked meat and mix in one cup of the chile sauce.
• Soak the corn husks in a bowl of warm water. In a large bowl, beat the lard with a tablespoon of the broth until fluffy. Combine the masa harina, baking powder and salt; stir into the lard mixture, adding more broth as necessary to form a spongy dough.
• Spread the dough out over the corn husks to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. Place one tablespoon of the meat filling into the center. Fold the sides of the husks in toward the center and place in a steamer. Steam for 1 hour.
• Remove tamales from husks and drizzle remaining chile sauce over. Top with sour cream. For a creamy sauce, mix sour cream into the chile sauce.

MEXICAN PORK TAMALES

Steps:

• Cook the Pork.
• Remove the skin from the shoulder and chop into big chunks, pop in large saucepan and cover with at least 20 cups of water add seasoning's and bring to the boil, simmer for around 2 hours till meat can be shredded. When pork is ready remove from broth and leave to cool, DO NOT DISCARD THE BROTH.
• Prepare the MASA.
• In a large mixing bowl add 6 cups of Masa Flour, cumin, salt, pepper,garlic powder, paprika and baking powder. Add 6 cups of retained broth and beat in well, dissolve the lard in a bowl in a microwave, when liquid beat in to the dough for about 10 mins to get some air into the mix, makes for a fluffier masa. Leave covered to cool.
• Put your husks in a mixing bowl and cover with hot water to soften (about 30 mins).
• To make the Mole.
• fry onions till brown, add tomatoes, seasoning's and chillis add the remaining broth bring to the boil then turn down to simmer, add 1 cup of masa flour and stir until the mole thickens a bit. Leave to cool.
• Prepare the filling.
• Shred the pork with your fingers or 2 forks and put into a mixing bowl. Add mole until you have a nice moist mixture (not to runny)
• Make your Tamales.
• Take a husk place on a flat surface, take one tablespoon of masa dough and spread over husk to within 1 inch of the edges. Place one tablespoon of filling onto the centre of the masa, pick up husk and roll the masa over the filling roll into a tube flip up the pointed end to make a packet and tie with butchers string or a strip of husk. Place in your steamer and steam for 90 mins, till cooked.
• Once cooked you can eat them or store in the freezer for later. I vacuum seal mine in pairs they will keep for 6 months (if you can keep your hands off them). Best eaten hot with a good slosh of salsa and a nice crisp salad. To reheat steam for about 10 mins or re heat in microwave for about 2 mins well covered until piping hot.

MOM'S TRADITIONAL MEXICAN TAMALES RECIPE

Steps:

• Tamale Meat
• Cook meat, garlic and salt in a slow cooker for 6 to 8 hours on high. Place in refrigerator and chill. Remove meat from refrigerator and remove solidified fat from top. Drain off liquid, reserving one cup to use in masa. Shred meat with a fork.
• Tamale Sauce
• Lightly brown the flour in the oil in a stockpot over medium high heat. Stir in tomato sauce, red chile sauce and salt, cook until thickened. Cool to room temperature before using. Stir sauce into meat.
• Tamale Masa
• Beat lard with a stand mixer to the consistency of whipped cream (takes about 15 minutes on highest setting). Add masa a little at a time in small, golfball sized pieces. Sprinkle salt and baking powder over the masa and mix well while adding more masa. Slowly add the beef broth into whipped lard and masa mixture. Continue whipping the mixture until a small spoonful of masa floats in cold water.
• Tamale Assembly and Cooking
• Spread ¼ to ⅓ cup masa on corn husks, a little thicker than ¼ inch thick. Spread a rectangle that covers husks except 2 inches at bottom and 1 inch at top. Place about 2 tablespoons of filling in center and add one ripe black olive. Roll together so that masa completely encircles filling. Fold bottom end up and place upright in a steamer, folded side down. Steam for about 40 minutes when fresh, or 90 minutes when frozen.

TO-GOOD TAMALES

Steps:

• 1. DAY ONE: Soak dried chilies in hot water, in a large ziploc bag for 15 minutes (or as long as it takes to cut up onion and meat)
• 2. Trim fat off of pork shoulder and place in a large crock pot
• 3. Cut up onion into large chunks (in 8ths)
• 4. Carefully, take chilies and working over the bag of water, pull off tops and rinse the seeds out. Place whole chilies in the with meat (I push the chilies down in between the meat), do the same with the onion. Then add about two cups of the chili water, that has been strained.
• 5. The meat will need to cook all day or over night, at least 12 hours. During the cooking, take the excess juices out and set to the side DO NOT THROW AWAY. I would suggest you put a sheet pan under the crock pot, in case the juices spill over while you are away from it.
• 6. Pull meat from crock pot leaving the drippings behind. Put the meat in a large ziploc, strain the drippings into a large bowl, you don't want any of the chili skins they are uneatable. Let them both completely cool in the fridge. (You don't have to do this step, BUT it makes it easier to work with)
• 7. DAY TWO: Reheat the meat drippings adding chili powder, garlic and cumin. Pull meat from bag and shred into a large stock pot over medium heat, adding about 2 cups of meat drippings and stirring so it won't burn, if you'd like add about 1/4 cup of canola oil. Once it has heated through pull it off the heat.
• 8. TO MAKE THE MASA: In a LARGE bowl or tub (you have to have lots of mixing room) empty the entire contents of the Maseca. Add paprika, garlic, cumin, and chili powder, mix well so that there are no "pockets" of spices. Add the oil (4 cups) and mix WELL. While mixing add the rest of the meat drippings, should be about 3-4 cups. You are looking for a thick peanut butter consistency, should not look "dry" at all. If you need more liquid (which you probably will) add the chicken broth, 1 cup at a time until you reach a good consistency. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes while you soak the corn husks. Corn husks should be soaked in hot water (usually in my sink, weighted down with something to keep them under water)
• 9. TO ASSEMBLE: With an ice cream scoop for the masa, and a small tablespoon scoop for the meat, take a corn husk and on the SMOOTH side (one side will have ridges) lightly dab with a paper towel.
• 10. Take a scoop of masa and place it in the middle of the wide edge of the husk. Pressing down with your hands, spread the masa till its about 1/4 inch thick, 1/4 inch from the edge and 1 inch from each side.
• 11. Take two scoops of meat and place in the center of the masa. Working from the edge closest to you, roll the masa over the meat, making sure that the husk does not get under the masa, so masa and meat should be touching. Roll and fold the narrow end of the husk towards the top. Place the tamale open end up in a steamer. Repeat...repeat....repeat.
• 12. Steam tamales for 2 hours with lid on. Keep an eye on the water level.

TAMALE SAUCE

Steps:

• Place a skillet over medium heat, and add the butter. As soon as it has melted, sprinkle over the flour. Whisk until a paste has formed and stir for 1-2 minutes more.
• Begin adding the beef broth a splash at a time, whisking well after each addition, until it resembles a pudding-like consistency. Once this consistency has been achieved, begin streaming in the broth, whisking all the while. Allow the mixture to simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the adobo sauce, taco seasoning and American cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and remove from the heat.
• Top your tamales with the Tex-Mex Tamale Sauce, serve and enjoy.

TAMALES

Steps:

• Soak 50 corn shucks for several hours in hot water, each trimmed to about 4"x6".
• For the Filling:.
• cut pork in 3" chunks and boil in water for about 45 minutes or until tender.
• RESERVE THE STOCK.
• remove any excess fat. shred pork (like making pulled pork for bbq).
• In mixing bowl add 1 cup stock and all the spices to the meat, set aside in fridge till ready to stuff the tamales.
• For the Corn Shells:.
• work the shortening into the corn meal by hand or mixer. Add salt, then the stock, mixing well. The resulting paste will be thick.
• when the corn shucks are soft and pliable remove one at a time to form the tamale. leave the rest in the water till ready to use so they stay pliable.
• with off set spatula or table knife spread some corn paste (masa) into the middle of the corn shuck; about 2"x4" and 1/8"thick.
• spread a tbs of the meat filling into middle of the masa. (if you've ever seen someone prepare to roll a cigarette you'll have the idea.).
• Now here's where you will need to practice a bit:.
• when rolling up the tamale don't roll the corn shuck up inside of the masa.
• the shuck will help you roll the masa in the way a bamboo mat helps you roll a spring roll.
• when the tamale is rolled the shuck should be loosely wrapped about it. (the masa will expand while being steamed).
• Tie the ends of the shuck closed and set aside.
• repeat till all the ingredients are used.
• place tamales in a single layer on steamer rack. (i use a lidded dutch oven with a roasting rack).
• steam over boiling water for 1 hour.
• sauce can be made with any left over stock.

HOT TAMALES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, kosher salt, paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper and cumin. Divide the mixture in half and reserve 1 half for later use.
• Cut the Boston butt into 6 even pieces and place into a 6 to 8-quart saucepan. Add half of the spice mixture and enough water, 3 to 3 1/2 quarts, to completely cover the meat. Set over high heat, cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the meat is very tender and falling apart, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Remove the meat from the cooking liquid to a cutting board. Leave the cooking liquid in the pot. Both meat and liquid need to cool slightly before making dough and handling. Remove any large pieces of fat and shred the meat into small pieces, pulling apart with your hands or using 2 forks.
• Place a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat and add the vegetable oil. Once shimmering, add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are semi-translucent, approximately 3 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapeno, and remaining half of the spice mixture and continue to cook for another minute. Add the meat and cook until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• While the meat is cooking, place the husks in a large bowl or container and submerge completely in hot water. Soak the husks until they are soft and pliable, at least 45 minutes and up to 2 hours.
• For the dough:
• Place the cornmeal, salt, and baking powder into a large mixing bowl and combine. Add the lard and using your hands, knead together until the lard is well incorporated into the dry mixture. Gradually add enough of the reserved cooking liquid, 3 to 4 cups to create a dough that is like thick mashed potatoes. The dough should be moist but not wet. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and set aside until ready to use.
• To assemble the tamales:
• Remove a corn husks from the water and pat dry to remove excess water. Working in batches of 6, lay the husks on a towel and spread about 2 tablespoons of the dough in an even layer across the wide end of the husk to within 1/2-inch of the edges. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the meat mixture in a line down the center of the dough. Roll the husk so the dough surrounds the meat, then fold the bottom under to finish creating the tamale. Repeat until all husks, dough and filling are used. Tie the tamales, around the center, individually or in groups of 3, with kitchen twine.
• To cook the tamales:
• Stand the tamales upright on their folded ends, tightly packed together, in the same saucepan used to cook the meat. Add the reserved broth from making the dough and any additional water so the liquid comes to 1-inch below the tops of the tamales. Try not to pour the broth directly into the tops of the tamales. Cover, place over high heat and bring to a boil, approximately 12 minutes. Remove the lid, reduce the heat to low, to maintain a low simmer, and cook until the dough is firm and pulls away easily from the husk, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Serve the tamales warm. For a 'wet' hot tamale, serve with additional simmering liquid. Store leftover tamales, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, in the freezer, for up to a month. To reheat, remove the plastic wrap and steam until heated through.;

HOT TAMALES USING CORN FLOUR

Steps:

• In a medium-size pot, combine the pork meat, garlic, onion, Bay Leaf and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cover with the water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Simmer partly covered, occasionally skimming and discarding fat from surface, about 1 hour or until meat is tender enough to shred. Remove onion, garlic, Bay leaf, and discard. Skim the broth and when the meat is cool enough to handle shred into bite-size pieces and set aside.
• While the meat is cooking. Soak the dry peppers in a medium size pot with warm water for about 20 minutes. Drain the peppers and place in the blender with the garlic cloves, cumin and 1/3 cup of soaking water. Process until you have a smooth sauce. Heat the vegetable oil in a medium-size skillet over medium heat, add the dry peppers sauce, 1 cup of the meat broth and cook for 8 minutes. Add shredded pork and season with salt and ground black pepper. Add more broth if needed. Simmer until heated through, about 5 more minutes.
• Place corn husks into a large bowl or pot. Pour enough boiling water over the husks to cover. Place a metal lid or heatproof dish on the husks to keep them submerged. Soak for about 45 minutes. Remove, drain and set aside.
• In a large bowl, beat the lard by hand or with an electric mixer until it is light. Add baking powder and the masa-harina and gradually the stock until dough is very light. If your dough looks dry add more broth or water. Taste and add salt if needed.
• Continue to beat until dough is well combined, light and smooth. To make sure your dough is light enough place a small amount in a glass with water. It will float when it's ready.
• Now comes the fun part. Assembling the Tamales. Place a small amount of the dough in the center of a corn husk. Using the back of a spoon spread the dough and top it with 1 1/2 tablespoon of the meat filling. Fold the sides of the husks. Fold bottom toward the center. And place tamales standing up in your already prepared tamal steamer cover with a layer of corn husks and a dish towel, cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Add more water to the steamer if needed during that time. For more pictures and instructions to assemble and cooking the tamales check this post "Chicken in green sauce Tamales"
• To check for doneness remove one of the tamales and if the husk can easily be removed from the dough they are ready. But if the dough sticks to the husk place back into the pot and cooks for 15 more minutes.